Excessive noise from recently energized tower line Scottish Power
When Adam Crick from Symbion Power Ltd. was asked by Scottish Power to locate excessive noise on one of their tower line circuits, he jumped at the chance.
Scottish Power has recently energized a circuit that had been off line for approximately 20 years. This circuit is mainly in open countryside, but where the tower lines come closer to housing areas, high noises have been heard by residents, causing many to complain.
To begin with Scottish Power were concerned that the noises could be coming from component degradation due to the circuits inactivity over many years.
Noise measurements had been taken, but at times were so loud that nothing could be pinpointed.
It was at this point that we were contacted to see if our camera could help them locate these high noise areas.
On arrival at the area of concern, It was soon apparent that It was particularly noisy in specific areas, of which there were many, and the main cause of this was that birds had been able to perch on the line whilst not in use. During this period there has been an abnormal buildup of excrement on the
conductors and insulators causing this high level of disturbance.
Using the DayCor II corona camera on foot, we were able to locate each individual noise area with ease, and make good judgment that it appears as if the problems are a result of bird excrement rather than component degradation (a closer Inspection by cradle will confirm this).
With the results taken from the survey which has been recorded onto CD. Scottish Power are able to send line teams to specific areas of concern to clean the conductors and other equipment creating this high revel of noise.
Patrolling power lines using the DayCor II corona camera whether carried out by foot or by air, shows how cost effective this surveying technique Is becoming, as asset management teams can allocate money and resources where It Is needed most. Rather than creating high maintenance costs where it is not required.
Further patrols are know being programmed to patrol other circuits by air to locate other potential problems they may have.
Adam Crick
Symbion Power Ltd.
United Kingdom
